mills



(Model) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

F. E. MILLS. METHOD OF AND DEVICE FOR EXHIBITING PICTURES.

' No.256.,353.. Patented Ap r.11,1882.

WITNESSES IINVENTOB:

ATTORNEYS.

' (Model) I 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

F. E. MILLS.

METHOD OF AND DEVIGE FORBXHIBITING PIGTURESQI No. 256,353; 1 Patented Apr-11,1882.

WITNESSES 1 INVENTOR:

yflZWf 1 I I ATTORNEYS.-

(ModeL) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

F. E.'MILLS.

METHOD v0P AND DEV-IQE FOR EXHIBITIiTQ PICTURES. Elm-256,353. Patented Apr. 11, 1882..

- INVENTOR Chg. I

ATTORNEYS.

N. PETERS. Phmauhu n rur. walhingmn. D c.

-(LIotlL) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

v P. E. MILLS. I METHOD OF AND DEVICE FOR EXHIBITING PICTURES. ""110: 256,353. Patented Apr. 11, 1882.

WITNESSES= 'INVENTOR: .2424 25 0% Maw ATTORNEYS.

N, PETERS. PMw-Liihognphen Wnihingon. n. c.

I UNIT D STATES PATENT" ()FFIGE.

FRANCIS E. MILLS, OF IIIISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF' TO WILLIAM MGMAHON, OF SAME PLACE.

METHOD OF AND DEVICE FOR EXHI'BITING PICTURES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 256,353, dated April 11, 1882.

7 Application filed January 19,1882. (Model) To all whom t't may concern Be it known that I, FRANCIS E. MILLS,of Pittsburg, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, have invented a novel Mode of Setting and EX- hibiting Photographic Portraits and other small Pictures, of which the followingisafull and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- G represents the blackened card containing the picture; G, the glass; O ,the opaque margin of the glass; S, the screen P, the penumbra or blackened centerof the screen L, the luminous border or figures surrounding the penumbra on thefaceof the screen; D, the opaque diaphragm used in certain cases to produce the opaque margin on the glass. The arrows indicate the line of sight when viewing the picture. C the slot for holding the card in a block; G the slot for holding the glass in a block; S S, the slot for holding the screen in a block; 0, the slot for holding a blackened counter-screen in a block; B, a horizontal block for holding all the parts in position; F, the perspective floor or ground delineated on the block; A, the figure of an arch,to be used when the card is inclined laterally from the glass.

Similar letters indicate the same parts in each figure.

I call the invention a phantoscope. .It consists in placing the portrait on a black ground or card behind, but at some little distance away from, a polished plane glass having a transparent center and opaque margins, and placing still farther away frombut in front of this glass an opaque screen havinga blackened center and luminous borders, (or luminous figures between the borders ofthe screen and the glass,)' the card, theglass, and the screen being placed at such distances from and at such angles with each other, respectively, that when the light falls obliquely upon the picture and it is viewed from a point at right angles with its plane the paper or card on which it is taken will be invisible,leaving the portrait standing apparently statue-like in the air, while images or phantoms of the luminous figures upon the screen will, by reflectionfrom the glass, appear projected beyond and around the portrait, producing a magical, pleasing, and life-like effect. The apparatus employed to produce this effect cons'sts mainly of the three parts above mentioned-viz., the blackened card, the glass, and the screen-together with any suitable device for holding these 5: parts in their IGSPCOUW} positions. v

The face of theca'rdG containing the picture to be viewed must beentirely black (except the picture itself) and have a smooth and even surface. It should be large enough to leavea wide black margin of from one inch to one and a half inch in every'direction outside the picture. I he object of blackening the face of the card is twofold first, torender it invisible to theeye when the lightfallsupon it obliquely and its edges are concealed from view; second, to render the glass in front of it strongly reflecting by excluding from the eye all transmitted light from behind, except what flows from the picture itself. This black ground of the card should be'produced by the photographer in taking the likeness by placing behind the sitter" a black woolen cloth absorbent of light; but in cases when this has not been done the card may, by using care, be black- 7 ened with india-ink.

As the glass G is to transmit as well as to reflect images to the eye, it should be quite true, plane, and transparent,a little wider and from one to two inches higher than the picturecard. The margins O of the glass, for an inch or more in width all around, are rendered opaque for the purpose of concealing from the eye the edges of the card when the picture is beingviewedthrough theglass. Iusuallyproduce this opacity by painting the back of the glass for the requisite width with some black pigment; but sometimes, when the picture is large and full length and set at considerable distance from the glass, I placeablackened diaphragm of pasteboard or metal behind the .marginal portions of the glass, between it and I the edges of the card, as seen at D, Fig. 6; or, if desirable, the opaque margin of sufficient width may be secured by inclosing the edges 5 of the glass in a very wide frame. In thelatlarger than the picture-card, and is placed in front or obliquely in front of the glass G, usually about twice the distance from the glass that the picture is; but its exact position may be considerably varied to suit different kinds of pictures, and would sometimes be governed by the angle at which the picture stands witlt the glass. One principal function of the screen is to cut off from the glass all light (from the dress, face, or other luminous objects in the room outside ol itsell) that would be incident to the glass at such an angle that it would be reflected back to the eye when viewing the picture. Another use of the screen is to hold the luminous figures whose images are to be reflected beyond and around the portrait; but all the central portion of the screen, the light front which would otherwisebe reflected to the eye in line with the portrait itself, mustbe made entirely black and absorbent of light, so that no reflected rays shall interfere with the light transmitted to the eye by the picture. This blackened central portion, 1, of the screen 1 call the penumbra. In some forms of the apparatus 1 make this penumbra by cutting out'the central part of the screen, leaving simplya dark aperture. Around the borders ofthe penumbra, eitheron the face of the screen itself or between its marginal portions and the glass, are placed luminous figures L, or drawings representing physical objects, such as an arch, architecturalcolumns,trees,buildings,wreaths of flowers, curtains, or any other objects suitable to form the background or surroundings of a portrait. (\Vhat I mean by luminous figures in the foregoing sentence is figures drawn in bright colors and highly reflectent of light.) In some cases, when it is desirable to change the scenery often, I place these luminous figures on separate slips of paper or pasteboard temporarily attached to the screen and easily replaced by others; and for large and full-length portraits, where the image is to be thrown overit, (like an arch,) Isometimes place such figure 011 a separate support considerably nearer the glsss than the screen is, as seen at A in Fig. 7; but in most cases the luminous figures would be placed immediately on the face of the screen.

The specific distances at which the card, the glass, and the screen should be placed from each other, and the angles of inclination requisite to produce the best effects, as well as the devices which may be employed for holding the parts in position, are largely matters of choice,dependent, too,somewha-tupon the character of the picture, (whether simply a bust, a three-quarter, or a full-length portrait,) and are susceptible of so many variations, even for each kind of picture, without departing from the principle of the invention, that Iwill give only such general directions for the arrangement and use of the parts as will be applicable to all and enable any person familiar with the laws of catoptrics to construct the apparatus and use the process in any form, on any class of pictures, or on any scale he may desire.

The picture, in order to present its true proportions, should always be viewed from a point at right angles with the plane of the card. While the picture is being viewed it is to be placed in such a position with reference to the light (a. window or gas-jet or lamp) that the latter shall fall upon it obliquely, or from a direction nearly in line with the plane of the glass, so that no light can be reflected to the eye by the polished surface of the card.

The object and functions of the screen being understood, it will be obvious that if the picture-card and the glass were set on parallel planes the line of sight, in order to be at right angles with the plane of the card, would be at right angles with the plane of the glass also, and the light from the face of the person viewing, being incident to the glass at a right angle, would be reflected back at the same angle into the eyes and destroy the effect by interfering with the light transmitted from the picture. The screen in that case could not be effectively used without cutting off the proper view of the picture, unless thecentral or penumbra portion were cutaway. Even then the light from the upper part ofthe face of the viewer would be thrown back through the apertureinto the eyes, unless the face were darkly shaded. For these reasons I should seldom place the card and glass parallel to each other. It may be done, if desired, but necessitates the inconvenience of darkening the face of the viewer in order to produce the necessary penumbra in line with the picture. This difiieulty is obviated by placing the picture-card at such an angle with the glass that the line of sight while at right angles with the picture may pass so obliquely through the glass that all light from the face of the person shall be incident to the glass at an angle that will reflect it away from the eyes. Then the screen, with its penumbra, can fully perform its office without intercepting the proper view of the pieturc. There are various degrees of inclination from the glass at which the card may be set, and also different directions of inclination. It may be inclined from the glass vertically, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 inthe accompanying drawings. It may be inclined laterally, as shown in Fig. 7, or it may have both a vertical and lateral inclination at the same time, as shown by the slots C in Fig. 8, and still produce plea-sing effects, yet the effects would be diiferentin each case. When theinclination is vertical the line of sight would necessarily be over the top of the screen. When lateral it would pass by the side of the screen.

For full-length portraits I usually, in addition to the upright figures on the face of the screen, make a perspective representation of a horizontal floor or ground, F, extending from the screen to the glass, which by reflection will appear under the feet of the portrait, as shown in Figs.'6, 7, and Sin accompanying drawings.

In that case the penumbra should be continued below the screen proper and extend for a little distance along the central portion of the floor.

The other optical principles involved in the invention may be-briefly stated thus: The

blackened portion of the face of the card, possessing no element of light-in itself, cannot be revealed to the eye by illumination and radiation, and when held at those angles with the light and eye heretofore indicated there cannot be any direct reflection to reveal its material surface. 'Hence, if entirely smooth and black, it would be necessarily and absolutely invisible; but the edges of the card presenting a very different angle to the light than its face would, even it blackened, still be visible by direct reflection, and these edges, having.

the same binocular parallax as the picture, would leave the mental inference of one continuous flat plane connecting these edges and the picture, and-the viewer would imagine he saw a black card so long as such edges were in sight. margin to conceal them. It is for nearly the same reason that I place the card away-from the glass, for it placed against the glass the two eyes would form the same parallax on the glass,the margins of the glass,and the picture itself, and suggest to the mind a flat picture taken or pasted on the flatplaue of the glass. I therefore place it away from the glass and have no visible object or image in the line of view which could present tothe eye the same angle of parallax as the picture itself, except such images as cross the plane of the card. These conditions being all complied with, the picture, although not stereoscopic in fact, will, if properly developed, present to the two eyes the same kind and degree of solidity that the real person would when'viewed with one eye, greatly enhanced to the mind by the different parallax of the image seen in proximity with and nearly in line beyond it.

In the accompanying drawings I have indi-' enty-five degrees from the plane of the glass.

The luminous border surrounding the penumbra of the screen may represent a wreath, as in Fig. 2, which, when inclined at this angle, will appear to surround the portrait. Fig. 2, also folding, and suitable for either a vignette or three-quarter portrait, is nearlyot' same form as Fig. 1, except that the screen is hinged lower down on the frame, and in opening to the same angle as thecard will be nearly twice Hence the necessity of the opaque as distant from the glass, and throw the image entirely beyond the portrait and nearly parallel with it. Fig. 3 is in the form of a box or case, convenient for standing on a table. The lids or flaps close up when not in-use, protecting the picture and glassfrom dust. The'righthand lid constitutes the screen, on the face of which are the, penumbra and luminous figures, and to the left-hand lid is attached the card containing the portrait. When opened at these angles (represented in the drawings) the image on the screen (say columns \vreathed with vines) would appear standing beyond and on a plane nearly parallel with the portrait. Fig. 4 is also in the form of a closed case or box to stand upon the table. One end of the box, from which the light is to enter, is made of glass, and when not in use the hinged top is,

large enough to form the penumbra cut away).

can be set against the blackened face and be replaced by others at-pleasure. Fig. 5 represents a mode of arranging the card, glass, and screen, in which the penumbra is made by cutting out the central portion of the screen, the line of sight passing through the aperture thus formed. In this form the card and screen are placed on parallel planes and open from opposite edges of the glass, and also at opposite and equal angles with it. The image upon the screen would, in this arrangement of the parts, be projected obliquely across the plane of the card. The parts may behinged to a light frame holding the glass, and fall together when not in use, as represented in the drawing, (in which form it would be most suitable for small vignette portraits;) or the same relative position and angles may be employed in a large apparatus for full-length portraits, if desired.

In Fig. 6 the apparatus is in the form-of a horizontal block of wood having narrow slots sawed in its upper surface transverselywith the grain, to receive and hold the respective parts when in use, the slots being cut at such angles and distances apart as would be best adapted to the kind of picture to be viewed. The parts can be removed from the block and packed in a box when not in use. This is the most convenient'form in which to use the perspective floor heretofore menti oned. It is represented at F. When used for full -length portraits the penumbra should extend entirely to the bottom of the screen and for some little distance along the floor. Other figures not encroaching upon the penumbra may be placed on this floor between the screen and the glass with pleasing effect. In all the foregoing the card is represented inclining vertically from the glass; but in Fig. 7 (alsoa horizontal block) the cardinclines laterallyfrom the glass, and the lineof view passes along the side instead of over the top of the screen. The drawin gs represent it arranged for a full-length portrait, and it is furnished with a perspective floor, the penumbra extending down to and covering a portion of such floor. In addition to the luminous figures upon the screen, (which in the position shown in Fig. 7 would be projected entirely beyond the plane of the portrait,) I commonly,in usingthis form and mode of inclination, place between the screen and the glass, at right angles with the plane of the card, the figure of an arch supported by columns, as shown at A, which by reflection would be projected obliquely across the plane of the card, and the portrait would appear standing under the arch. I give the card this lateral inclination also in a folding or closing form of the apparatus for three-fourths-length portraits, the card being drawn upon thcscreen itselfand hinged to the frame or box that holds the glass, so that it may open out to a proper angle with the card when the picture is being viewed and be closed up against the glass (like a door) when not in use, (similar to Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 turned down on its side.) When a perspective floor is used all that portion of the apparatus between the glass and the card should be either covered with black cloth absorbent of light or dropped down an inch or more below the level of such floor, in order that no transmitted light shall interfere with the reflected images of the floor.

Fig. 8 represents a form of block in which the position and angles of both the card and the screen may be changed at pleasure in order to produce a variety of effects with a single apparatus. The glass being stationary in the slot G,thc card and screen may, by using the appropriate slots with which the block is provided, be set with either a lateral or a vertical inclination from it, or both, as may be desired. The perspective floor for one mode of inclination-say the lateral-can be drawn upon the block itself, as seen at F, and another perspective floor or ground be made on a separate sheet of pasteboard, to be laid on the block in the proper position when the card is inclined vertically.

In the larger forms of the apparatus I also provide just behind the glass a slot or other suitable device (marked 0) for holding a black counter-screen, as in Fig. 6, such counter-screen to be employed, when desired, for the purpose of cutting off from the line of view the lower portion (or any other particular portion) of the portrait, and substituting in the place of the part cut oil the reflected image of some other object or figure placed at the proper position on the floor of the apparatus. By using such a counter-screen a great variety of amusing effects may be produced with the apparatus in addition to the general efl'cct heretofore mentioned. For example, suppose the black counter-screen to be so shaped and placed in its slot as to cut ofi the lower half of the pertrait from view, and a small goblet or vase (or a paper representation of a goblet or vase) were placed on the floor between the glass and the main screen at such a point that its reflected image would coincide with the position of that part of the portrait concealed from view, on looking at the picture from the usual direction the black counter-screen would itself be invisible and the person would appear to be standing in the goblet or vase. By exercising a little skill and care in conforming the outlines of the counter-screen to the shape of the object or figure proposed to be used, entire transformations of the dress, the hat, the form, and even the face of the portrait may thus be produced, or other combinations made with it of an amusing character.

I do not confine the invention to stationary pictures, but employ it also in any rotating apparatus where, the glass and screen being stationary, the pictures (all taken on black cards) may by rotation be brought successively into the proper position behind the glass.

WVhat I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The method of setting, arranging, or exhibiting pictures, which consists essentially in placing the picture on a black ground behind, but away from, a glass having a transparent center and opaque margins, and placing still farther away from, but in front or obliquely in front of, this glass a screen having a blackened or cut-away center with luminous bor dcrs, or luminous figures between the borders of the screen and the glass, the picture, the glass, and the screen being arranged at such distances from and at such angles with each other, respectively, that when the light falls obliquely upon the picture and it is viewed from a direction at right angles with its plane the paper or card on which the picture is taken will become invisible, while images of the luminous objects upon the screen will be seen by reflection projected beyond or around the picture, substantially as herein shown and described.

2. A frame, box, or supporting-block for exhibiting pictures, containing a device or devices for holding a transparent glass with opaque margins or diaphragm between a picture on a black ground and a screen having a blackened or cut-away center, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. A frame, box, or supporting-block for exhibiting pictures, containing a device or devices for holding a card-picture, a glass, and a screen in substantially therelative positions described, whereby, to a person looking through the glass by the aid of a light falling obliquely upon the picture, the black card will be apparently invisible and an image of the screen will be projected beyond or around the picture, as specified.

4. In combination with a device or devices for holding the card, glass, and screen in the relative positions herein described, a floor or ground, F, represented in reverse perspective, substantially as shown and described.

5. In combination with devices for holding the card and the glass in the relative positions described, the arch A,held in a stationary device, or hinged, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

6. The block B, provided with means for holding the card, the glass, the screen, and the arch in their relative positions, substantially as and for the purpose described.

7. The block B, having-means for holding the card, glass, and screen, and the slot 0 for holding a blackened counter-screen behind the r 5 FRANCIS E. MILLS.

Witnesses:

801.0: 0. KEMoN, JOHN T. LAWRENCE. 

